Hurricanes Edge Rebels 3-2 in Shootout
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes won their fourth straight game on Friday beating the Central Division leading Red Deer Rebels 3-2 in a shootout at the ENMAX Centre.
It was the second meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Rebels after Red Deer took the first meeting in early October. The Hurricanes had a great first shift hemming the Rebels in as the Jett Jones line with Tyson Laventure and Tyson Zimmer started for the ninth straight game. Despite the good start for the ‘Canes, it was the Rebels that struck first at the 2:40 mark on a power play when defenceman Mats Lindgren banged home a loose puck in from to make it 1-0 Red Deer. Lethbridge continued their press in the first period outshooting Red Deer 16-4 in the opening frame. The ‘Canes on their fourth power play chance tied the game as Zimmer tucked home his third goal of the season with 3:43 left in the period; Nolan Bentham and Tristan Zandee earned the helpers on the goal as the game was tied 1-1 after twenty minutes of play.
The Rebels pour on the heat in the second period outshooting the Hurricanes 17-12. Red Deer had a pair of early power play opportunities, but the ‘Canes penalty kill – which has been killing at over 90% in their last ten games – killed both chances. Lethbridge took their first lead of the game at the 10:30 mark when Logan Wormald was sprung on a breakaway out of the penalty box and he made no mistake beating Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey five-hole to extend his point streak to six-straight games; Zimmer and Hayden Smith earned the assists on the goal as the ‘Canes led 2-1 after two periods.
Early in the third period, Red Deer continued to pour it on as they tied the game in the early going. Just 1:07 into the final frame, Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe hooked home his sixth goal of the season on a wraparound beating ‘Canes goalie Harrison Meneghin through the legs to tie the game 2-2. The Rebels had a pair of great opportunities to take the lead but Meneghin – who is the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week – stood tall making his best stop on a point-blank chance for Grubbe in the dying minutes. Neither team found a go-ahead goal as the game went to overtime tied 2-2.
In the extra session, the ‘Canes and Rebels traded chances with Lethbridge having a glorious opportunity when Zimmer was sprung on a partial breakaway by Kelsey made a great glove save to keep the game going. Red Deer was given a power play late in the overtime period but a fantastic kill by Jett Jones and Chase Pauls who were on the ice for the final 1:40 left in OT were able to send the game to a shootout.
In the shootout, the ‘Canes Noah Chadwick scored the lone goal while Meneghin stopped all three Rebels shooters as Lethbridge earned the 3-2 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 14-6 in the third period and 2-1 in overtime while the Rebels held the edge 37-35 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/6 on the power play while Red Deer was 1/4 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #21 Tyson Zimmer (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) Rebels – #31 Kyle Kelsey (33-saves)
3) ‘Canes – #35 Harrison Meneghin (35-saves)
The win for the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to four-straight games while improving their point streak to seven in a row having gone 6-0-0-1 in that span. The victory lifted the ‘Canes home record to 7-3-0-1 on the season and their overall record to 11-8-0-1 on the year.
The Hurricanes will end their four-game homestand against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm. Individual game tickets can be purchased in person at the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) and online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
